December 9, 2022 - WHAT A MATCH! Croatia beats Brazil on penalties for the 2022 World Cup semi-final!
Croatia and Brazil met at Education City Stadium in the first 2022 World Cup quarter-final on Friday, December 9, at 6 pm local time.
Croatia beat Japan on penalties in the round of 16 match on Monday. Croatia's hero was Dominik Livaković, who saved three penalties to send Croatia into the quarter-final.
Croatia has played Brazil four times, recording three defeats and one draw. The last time Brazil and Croatia met was in June 2018 as part of their World Cup preparations.
While Croatia has not lost in a World Cup quarter-final, Brazil was knocked out by European teams in the quarter-final in 2006, 2010, and 2018.
Lineups
Croatia: Livaković – Juranović. Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa – Modrić, Brozović, Kovačić – Pašalić, Kramarić, Perišić
Brazil: Alisson - Militao, Marquinos, T. Silva, Danilo - Casemiro - Raphinha, Paqueta, Neymar, Vinicius - Richarlison
Match report
Croatia won the coin toss to kick off first. Croatia had their first free kick in the 3rd minute when Kovacic was fouled. Vinicius tried shooting in the 5th minute, which was an easy save for Livakovic.
Croatia did well in keeping possession in the first 10 minutes, with the defense clearing any dangerous attacks.
Croatia's first chance at goal came in the 12th minute. Juranovic made an incredible run into the middle and played Pasalic on the wing, who crossed into the box. Kovacic and Perisic both missed the cross.
Croatia's first corner came in the 14th minute. It was cleared by the Brazil defense, but Croatia won back the ball. Modric crossed into the box, but Brazil cleared it out again.
Croatia denied Brazil too much space. Brazil tried attacking again in the 20th minute, which was blocked by the Croatia defense. Neymar hit a light shot on goal to Livakovic.
Casemiro shot on goal in the 22nd minute, which was deflected off the Croatia defense for Brazil's first corner.
A seriously ugly play by Danilo on Juranovic in the 25th minute. Danilo's high kick with cleats up at Juranovic's head gave Croatia a free-kick right outside the box. Brazil's defense cleared the play.
A questionable call for Brazil in the 28th minute awarded them a free kick, cleared by the Croatia defense.
Brozovic was shown a yellow card in the 30th minute.
Croatia played stunning football for the next 5 minutes, maintaining possession and calming down the play.
Brazil regained possession in the next 5 minutes but was unable to create any dangerous attacks for a goal. But the ref awarded Brazil a free kick outside the box after a soft foul on Vinicius. Neymar's shot on goal luckily deflected and went into Livakovic's hands.
The ref added one minute of stoppage time. The first half ended 0-0 with 48% possession for Croatia.
The second start started without any changes on either side.
Gvardiol saved the day yet again on a nearly open chance for Brazil in the 47th minute. A penalty check for Brazil held the game up slightly in the next minute, which was ultimately called offside for Croatia's ball.
Croatia's first corner of the second half came in the 49th minute. Kramaric was called offside.
Juranovic intercepted the ball in the 53rd minute and carried the ball into Brazil's half. He played the ball to Perisic on the other side of the pitch who was just off finding Pasalic's head for the goal.
Livakovic brilliantly saved Neymar's shot on goal in the 55th minute.
Brail subbed off Raphina for Antony in the 55th minute.
Croatia was dangerous in the 58th minute and stopped a quick Brazil counterattack.
Brazil subbed off Vinicius for Rodrygo in the 64th minute.
Brozovic fouled Neymar in the 65th minute and needed to be careful about getting a second yellow.
Livakovic - Croatia's lifesaver - saved another dangerous Brazil shot on goal.
Casemiro was shown a yellow card for fouling Kramaric in the 68th minute.
Kramaric was subbed off for Petkovic and Vlasic or Pasalic in the 72nd minute.
Livakovic again saved a quick Brazil counterattack, which went out for a Brazil corner.
By the 80th minute, Brazil had a few more scary chances, cleared by Livakovic and Croatia's defense.
Richarlison was subbed off for Pedro in the 84th minute.
Croatia's defense was brilliant in the block on Brazil's counterattacks.
The ref added 4 minutes of extra time.
Brazil had a corner in the 91st minute, cleared by the Croatia defense.
The match ended 0-0 and went into extra time.
Croatia, the kings of extra time at the World Cup - could they do it?
Brazil had a corner in their first attack, which went out for Croatia's ball.
Croatia was closing them off in any attack, and Croatia was trying to keep possession.
Croatia had a brilliant attack in the 102nd minute when Petkvovic held the ball up top before playing it to Brozovic. Brozovic was alone at the top of the box and shot over the goal.
One minute of stoppage time was added to the first half.
But Neymar found the back of the net. Livakovic committed too early to Neymar, who scored for 1-0 Brazil in the final seconds of the first half.
Majer was subbed on for Kovacic to start the second half of extra time.
Perisic played two brilliant balls into the box, which were too strong for Croatia's attack.
Croatia had a corner in the 109th minute. Croatia subbed on Budimir for Sosa in the same minute.
Orsic came on for Brozovic in the 114th minute.
Brazil had a corner in the 114th minute and then a free kick outside the box seconds later.
But this Croatia came out to play. And a stunning Orisic-Perisic play saw Croatia equalize in the 117th minute!!!!! Petkovic found the back of the net. It was 1-1 with a few minutes before penalties!!!
Majer had a brilliant shot on goal in the 119th minute. Two minutes of stoppage time were added.
Croatia cleared Brazil's last dangerous free kick. Livakovic was absolutely brilliant again. What a keeper.
And the match went into penalties.
Vlasic was up first for Croatia and scored for 1-0 Croatia!
Livakovic saved Brazil's first penalty!!!!!! The king!
Majer scored Croatia's next penalty for 2-0 Croatia!!!
Casemiro scored Brazil's next penalty - 2-1.
Luka Modric scored Croatia's next pen for 3-1!!!!
Pedro scored for 3-2.
Orsic scored for 4-2 Croatia!!!!!
And Brazil missed their final penalty!!!!! Croatia is in the SEMIFINAL!!!!!
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